Skip to Main Content
Road Scholar logo
Texas

On the Road: San Antonio, Texas Hill Country and Austin

Program No. 10459RJ
Explore Texas with experts on a larger-than-life adventure as you discover Tex-Mex in San Antonio and learn about music and politics in Austin.
Watch VideoWishlistShare
Start
  • 10459-texas-san-antonio-lbj-austin-pride-of-lone-star-state-lghoz.jpg
  •  
  • 10459-texas-san-antonio-lbj-austin-pride-of-lone-star-state-skyline-c.jpg
On the RoadCity DiscoveriesMulti-City Discoveries
Length
7 days
Rating (4.92)
Activity Level
Starts at
2,499

Enroll with Confidence

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. Learn more

Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
7 days
6 nights
What's Included
15 meals ( 6B, 4L, 5D )
3 expert-led lectures
9 expert-led field trips
3 performances
An experienced Group Leader
6 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Expand All
Activity Note
Hotel check-in available from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously). Minimal walking to/from cathedral.
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 3:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Orientation: 4:00 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar On The Road (OTR) program. This unique itinerary takes you through breathtaking landscapes and vibrant cultures, with ample time spent on comfortable coaches that allow you to soak in the scenery. As we traverse long distances, you'll enjoy curated onboard experiences, including educational stories and cultural presentations, making the journey as enriching as the destinations themselves. Each coach ride becomes an opportunity to connect with fellow travelers and share stories, ensuring that every mile brings you closer to unforgettable memories. Please read the Daily Activity Notes for more information regarding the time & distance traveled daily. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. The Group Leader will give us a presentation on San Antonio, explaining how the River Walk was developed and explaining how various cultures converged on the area to make it the unique place that it is today. Each evening, the hotel in San Antonio hosts a complimentary “kickback” reception with a rotating variety of food and drink daily from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on the second floor. Everyone is invited.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
We’ll set out on foot with our Group Leader to San Fernando Cathedral for an outdoor light show by French artist Xavier De Richemont. This 24-minute show tells the story of San Antonio from its beginnings to present day. After returning to the hotel, take the rest of the evening to continue getting to know your fellow participants, relax, and get a good night’s sleep for the full day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a public bus. Walking up to 3 miles, climbing up/down stairs to access River Walk area, standing in museum up to 2 hours. Getting on/off a barge; cruising 1/2 hour minimum.
Breakfast:
In the hotel’s second floor mezzanine.
Morning:
Since Spanish conquistadors first landed on this soil more than 500 years ago, there have been fascinating stories of conflicts and compromises, love affairs and bitter hatreds among our many peoples. A noted professor will lead us on an enthralling, fast-paced, two-hour journey through Texas history from its earliest beginnings to the modern day. We will be drawn into the lives of those early citizens and find ourselves torn by the challenging choices people of the day had to make in order to survive. Those never-to-be-forgotten stories of the past will help us understand the Texas we will see over the next few days. Next, we’ll set out on a walking field trip with a local expert to explore downtown San Antonio. Our local expert will share stories and anecdotes about the highlights in San Antonio
Lunch:
We’ll stop at a nearby restaurant for lunch.
Afternoon:
After lunch, you will have free time to explore this historic area.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
Stepping outside to the River Walk— the heart of the city — we’ll catch a narrated barge ride on the San Antonio River, located 20 feet below street level and just steps from the famed Alamo. We will learn about the history of the area and the blend of old and new from our barge driver as we float along the river. Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is at leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer tomorrow.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 80 miles, approximately 2 hours total riding time. Walking up to 2 miles; standing up to 1 hour.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we will board a motorcoach and ride to the Mission San Jose visitor center. We will embark on a journey with a local expert from AITSCM (American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions), and learn about various Missions in the region. In Texas history, a "Mission" refers to a Spanish colonial settlement established primarily to serve as a religious outpost. Visits to the Missions grounds are subject to change with weather conditions.
Lunch:
We will enjoy a picnic lunch on the mission grounds while the AITSCM Dance Theater performs.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will depart the Missions and and ride into Texas Hill Country. As we’re arriving in Fredericksburg, the Group Leader will provide a brief orientation to the town. We’ll then check in to our hotel. There will be some time for independent exploration beforewe depart on foot to dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 90 miles, up to 3 hours total riding time. Standing in museums for up to 2 hours and walking up to 3 miles over the course of the day.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel, board our motorcoach, and ride to the Pioneer Museum, where we will enjoy a guided visit. This museum and historical site will send you back in time to the mid-19th and 20th centuries, surrounded by buildings and artifacts that reflect life of a German pioneer immigrating to Texas.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will board the motorcoach and head to Lyndon B Johnson's boyhood home. LBJ lived at his home in Johnson City until his high school graduation in 1924 - the home is furnished as it would have been over 100 years ago. National Park Rangers will be on hand and tell us more about Lyndon, Lady Bird, and their Texas home.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant in Austin.
Evening:
After dinner, we will continue our ride to Austin, where we will check in to our hotel. The remainder of the evening is at leisure.
Activity Note
Walking up to 3 miles; city streets and sidewalks, moderate elevation change. Getting on and off the motor coach. Riding in coach for up to 30 minutes throughout the day. Extent/duration of walking and other activities during independent exploration according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After breakfast, we board the coach for a field trip to the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum. We’ll have an introduction to the library by an education specialist followed by time for independent exploration. We’ll be able to listen to recordings made during Johnson’s years in the White House that reveal much about his personality and style, and illustrate why he was able to rise to power and accomplish what he did during his career. We’ll be able to learn more about Lyndon Johnson, the man, and the impact his programs still have on society today, after the passage of Great Society legislation in the 1960s. Afterwards, we board the coach for a field trip to the Texas State Capitol in Austin. We will be joined by a docent who will walk us through key areas of the Capitol and educate us about Texas history and legislature.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will be joined by a local expert and embark on a walking exploration through downtown Austin. We gain a comprehensive understanding about Austin through this exploration of historic districts, unique buildings, and cultural features of the downtown.
Dinner:
Dinner will be on your own at one of Austin's unique Food Truck Parks.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on and off the motor coach. Walking for up to 1.5 miles on dirt and paved pathways. Riding in the coach for up to 50 minutes throughout the day. Extent/duration of walking and other activities during independent exploration according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning at the hotel we will be joined by a local professor who will provide an overview of Texas Politics. We will learn about the major players throughout history and how their views and ideologies have shaped this great state. We’ll then depart for a field trip by motorcoach to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, which was founded in 1982 by Lady Bird Johnson and Helen Hayes. The center, which is connected to the University of Texas at Austin, is referred to as the “Botanic Garden of Texas” for its focus on conserving native plants; it is well known for its outreach programs, sustainable gardens, and research. We’ll explore parts of the 284-acre center with experts from the Wildflower Center.
Lunch:
Lunch on your own
Afternoon:
We will return to the hotel by motorcoach after lunch. The afternoon will be free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Meeting back in the hotel, we’ll gather for a special treat as a Grammy-award winning musician gives us a private performance in our meeting room. As we enjoy the music, we’ll also learn what life is like for musicians in Austin.
Dinner:
At the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
Please select a day to update the map
Map details are not available for this location.





Recommended For You